Often parents can become confused or are unsure as to how much time their children should spending using online devices. Consider the following when you are asking yourself the question: How much is too much? The following information is taken from the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner. (https://www.esafety.gov.au/ )

Your child may be spending too much time online if their online behaviour is having a negative impact on other aspects of their life.

To many parents it can seem as though children and young people are constantly online. Often they are multitasking; for example downloading and listening to music while studying and chatting with friends or sending messages on their mobile phones.

The number of hours children and young people spend online can vary significantly. There is no guideline for the ‘right’ amount of time for children to spend online, however if their online behaviour appears to impact negatively on their behaviour or wellbeing, or that of the family, it may be time to discuss expectations and establish time limits.

What can you do?

• The longer you wait to address the issue, the more difficult it can be to overcome. So if you see an emerging problem arising from excessive use, act on it right away.
• Talk to your child about the concerns you have and monitor what games, apps and devices are bought or used by your child.

• You may like to install a filter on the laptop or computer your child is using which can be adjusted to limit the amount of time an internet connection will be available on that device.
• Consider implementing family agreements about the amount of time your children can spend online. You might like to have a rule where the ‘wifi password of the day’ is only given once all homework/chores/family time is done. A similar approach can be used to limit access to devices.
• If your child seems particularly anxious or irritable, or you notice them seeming isolated from friends or other activities, there may be an underlying mental health issue. Consider getting help from school counsellors or your GP who can refer your child to a professional psychologist.